Gloucester score seven tries to beat Exeter 45-24 at Sandy Park

Gloucester began their Prem season with a 45-24 victory over Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park, scoring seven tries against last season's beaten finalists. BBC Sport reported that the result was Gloucester's first win in Devon since 2015, with new captain Dewi Lake and winger Ben Loader contributing two tries apiece to a performance that secured an immediate away success.

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The visitors had won just once on the road during the previous campaign, when they finished eighth. This time, they had their four-try bonus point secured by half-time and led 26-12 at the interval. Seb Atkinson, Will Joseph and debutant Junior Denny joined Lake and Loader on the scoresheet, while Charlie Atkinson kicked four conversions and George Barton added another.

Loader opened Gloucester's account after Ben Redshaw's kick bounced into his path. Exeter replied through Josh Iosefa-Scott from close range, but a kick over the defence by scrum-half Caolan Englefield allowed Seb Atkinson to race through and restore the visitors' advantage. Loader then scored again, using his footwork and a kick towards the left corner to extend Gloucester's lead.

Ethan Roots gave Exeter a second first-half try, only for Lake to score in the corner before the break after choosing not to take a kick at goal. The Wales captain, a summer arrival at Gloucester, added his second from a driving maul after the restart. Joseph followed with a long-range run from inside his own half, beating three defenders on his way to the line.

Exeter responded through Stephen Varney and then replacement hooker Louie Gulley, whose try on his Prem debut secured the hosts a bonus point. Gloucester played the closing stages without flanker Freddie Thomas after he was sent to the sin-bin. Nevertheless, 18-year-old Denny finished the final move with a debut try of his own, completing the visitors' seven-try haul and their 21-point winning margin.

Speaking to BBC Radio Devon, Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter criticised his side's kicking and lack of attacking composure while acknowledging Gloucester's clinical play. His Gloucester counterpart George Skivington told BBC Radio Gloucestershire that the performance provided a strong starting point for the season. He particularly praised his players' defensive effort while a man short, highlighting their willingness to keep working through an extended sequence of phases.